Guwahati, April 2: A proposed amendment to the Waqf Act has sparked heated debate across India, particularly in Assam, where the North Eastern Minority Students’ Union (NEMSU) has strongly opposed any government intervention in Waqf property management.

The amendment, currently being discussed in Parliament, reportedly aims to make it mandatory for the Waqf Board to register its properties with the District Commissioner’s office. However, critics argue that this move could weaken the Waqf Board’s autonomy over properties donated for the welfare of the Muslim community.

Waqf properties are donations made by Muslims for religious, educational, and welfare purposes, benefiting the broader Muslim community. These properties have been governed by various laws since the British era, with the Waqf Act of 1954 establishing the Central Waqf Council and State Waqf Boards to oversee their management.

According to Badrul Islam, President of NEMSU, the Waqf Board’s sole purpose is to protect and manage Waqf properties, ensuring they are used for community welfare. “The government has no right to interfere in Muslim-donated properties meant for the upliftment of the community. This proposed amendment is nothing but an attempt to take away the authority of the Waqf Board,” he alleged.

The controversy has also ignited debates over religious institutions and state intervention. Critics question why only Waqf properties are being targeted while other religious trusts, such as Hindu, Christian, and Parsi organizations, continue to function with autonomy.
“India is a secular country where different religious institutions exist. If the Waqf Board’s authority is being questioned, why aren’t similar inquiries being made into the massive resources owned by Hindu trusts or Christian organizations?” questioned a NEMSU president Badarul Islam.

Assam has significant Waqf land holdings, including 8,590 bighas in the Brahmaputra Valley, 13,740 bighas in the Barak Valley, 66 bighas, 36 kathas, and 135 lechas in Guwahati (largely encroached upon in areas like GS Road, Shantipur, Fansi Bazar, and Panbazar).

Currently, 32 cases of illegal encroachment and misuse of Waqf properties are pending in court.

NEMSU has urged the government to protect the properties of all religious institutions equally while ensuring that Waqf lands remain dedicated to Muslim welfare.
“We oppose any forced implementation of laws that undermine the Waqf Board’s authority in a secular democracy,” stated Islam.

“The Muslim community in Assam has always played a crucial role in preserving Assamese culture, language, and traditions while contributing to the state’s socio-economic growth,” he said.

As the debate rages on, the future of Waqf property management in Assam and across India remains uncertain, with strong resistance from minority organizations against what they see as an unwarranted government intrusion.

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